Opinion - Marblehead Current

27Sep

By The Current Editorial BoardNo Comments

Current Editorials, Opinion

EDITORIAL: A zoning balancing act

Marblehead faces an acute housing affordability crisis. With over 77% of homes being single-family units, the town desperately needs more diverse and affordable options. Of Marblehead's 8,135 total households, 2,404 or 29% are considered low-income. Yet just 333 units, a mere 4% of all housing — qualify as affordable under state law. That's well short of the 10% mandate. Two-thirds of those low-income households are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing. Monthly rents approach $2,000, even for a modest one-bedroom apartment. To afford such high rents, one needs an income of $76,000. These costs are pricing out seniors, young adults and working families vital to Marblehead's future. Responding to similar housing shortages statewide, Massachusetts passed a la...

26Sep

By Letter to the editorNo Comments

LETTERS, Opinion

LETTER: School Committee meeting was ‘painful’

To the editor: What can I say other than last night's School Committee meeting was painful!! Note to self: you can not be late by one minute if you want to make a public comment. #1: Still have not received an apology for calling stakeholders, “lunatics.” Don’t worry I never expected one! #2: SEPAC and METCO will not be represented on the search committee. Good people of Marblehead, it shouldn't surprise anyone. The School Committee from what I understand makes the sole decision. By law, they do not have to even extend a seat to anyone on the search committee. Just like a School Committee member did not have to reveal he was suing Dr. Buckey. #3: This board was a hot mess last night concerning wording about the guidelines of how much homework each school gives. OY!! At St. Joh...

21Sep

By Letter to the editorNo Comments

LETTERS, Opinion

LETTER: Visible neglect hurts Marblehead

To the editor, Marblehead seems to be suffering from a severe case of "neglect." This, unfortunately, is very evident around town and certainly sends a poor message. A community such as ours enjoys being visited by people from around the country and around the world; however, what message are we sending to these visitors when they see so much evidence of this neglect? Several areas within the historic downtown, areas to which visitors often come, look as if no one cares to ensure that we send a positive statement that we care about our community. For example, the gardens around the lovely old townhouse are choked with weeds and the grounds of Fort Sewall are a disgrace! So much time and effort went into refurbishing this very important area, primarily by a group of dedicated volunt...

21Sep

By Rick CuznerNo Comments

Environment, Local News, Opinion, Top Stories

CUZNER IN NATURE: The elusive green herons of Marblehead

I came upon this green heron hunting for snacks (frogs) along the edge of Joe Brown’s Pond. Close-up of a green heron showing its distinctive rufous neck. COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK CUZNER I find them to typically be very skittish unless they are on the hunt. Local ponds are an amazing place to watch for wildlife. According to MassWildlife, this small wading bird has a wingspan of 26 inches and stands about 18 inches tall, although it frequently retracts its neck to appear shorter. Adult green herons have a dark green to black crown, a rufous neck and a gray belly. Green heron perched on a log, patiently waiting for its next catch. They primarily feed on small fish and aquatic invertebrates, and they've even shown evidence of using tools like sticks to attract prey. Th...

20Sep

By The Current Editorial BoardNo Comments

Current Editorials, Opinion

EDITORIAL: The spirit of Marblehead

What’s the “spirit of Marblehead”? The answer that immediately jumps to mind is the iconic Archibald Willard painting that hangs in the Select Board’s meeting room at Abbot Hall. "The Spirit of '76" was exhibited at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and toured several major cities before Gen. John H. Devereux purchased it and brought it “home.” It was hung in Abbot Hall in 1880 by the artist and Devereux’s son, Henry, who had also served as the model for the young drummer on the left side of the painting. But in recent days, we have been reminded that the spirit of Marblehead has other facets, too. The spirit of Marblehead is resilient, as Thomas Smith demonstrated on Saturday. Smith overcame two hockey injuries and a subsequent car accident that left him paralyze...

12Sep

By Letter to the editorNo Comments

LETTERS, Opinion

LETTER: Tired of traffic in Marblehead?

To the editor: Are you back commuting to work, or just trying to get your errands done? Have you noticed that the gridlock is unbearable between 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 2:15-3 p.m.? Traffic has become a big issue in Marblehead for multiple reasons. Our children are scattered to five separate school locations, with start times and end times that are spaced within 10 minutes of each other. Within our 4.4 square miles, we provide bus transportation to about 250 students, which is the absolute minimum mandated by the state. This is fewer than 10% of our students — far fewer than neighboring communities. The other 2,400 students must find some other way to get to school, which usually means private vehicles driven by parents. Some parents have to make a circuit of three schools for pickup and...

12Sep

By Letter to the editorNo Comments

LETTERS, Opinion

LETTER: ‘Raise your voices and demand the inclusion of all children and stakeholders’

To the editor: Well, good people of Marblehead, I'm back with another letter to the editor. Unfortunately — or perhaps not — the audio and video at the Sept. 7 School Committee meeting were not working properly. I wonder why. So, I guess you missed me asking Chairwoman Fox if she intended to apologize to the stakeholders she called lunatics. Her explanation was that she only meant those who complained in front of her children. Forgive me for being suspicious of her answer. First, it was her child who erased her text messages and contact information to and from committee member Alison Taylor. Truth be told, I am very vocal about this School Committee. However, I would not send a balloon or speak rudely in front of anyone's children. My issue with this committee is its lack of transparen...

12Sep

By The Current Editorial BoardNo Comments

Current Editorials, Opinion

EDITORIAL: Enough is enough

It is time for the town to fish or cut bait in the case of Officer Christopher Gallo. The veteran police officer has been on administrative leave but collecting a town paycheck since June of 2021. Since that date, Marblehead taxpayers have been footing the bill to the tune of almost $220,000. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer conducted a fact-finding hearing in May at which Police Chief Dennis King recommended that Gallo be fired for conduct unbecoming an officer and dereliction of duty. The charges stem from 2021 after an anonymous whistleblower provided photos of Gallo’s cruiser parked outside his home when he was supposed to be on patrol. Allegedly, he spent more than 100 hours at home while on duty during a four-month period. There were also allegations stemming from an inci...

12Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

LETTERS, Opinion

Re: The erosion of ‘liberal’

To the editor: Jo Ann Augeri Silva’s recent column on what it means to be a liberal states: “Here’s what I object to. The spewing. The hate.” From me, here is a message to all non-Trumpers. There is a new kid on the block spewing hate, discord and disharmony. His name is Vivek Ramaswamy. Read his quotes, read his facts or what he refers to as his truths. He will dismantle many of the foundations that have allowed us to survive as a solid democracy. He is clever but diabolical. Inform yourselves regarding his vision for our country. Walter Haug Highland Terrace

12Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

LETTERS, Opinion

LETTER: Edith Dodge Fund needs you

To the editor: As the Edith Dodge Fund celebrates its 50th birthday this year, we find ourselves in need of two or three good folks to serve on our executive board. Recent loss of members due to relocation, and family responsibilities, has created vacancies. Our need is great and immediate. We are a nonprofit organization begun by Edith Dodge, herself a senior citizen, in 1973. Over the decades it has evolved from serving seniors and families, to a gifting project for Marblehead residents at home, 80 years and older, who receive cookies and/or clementines (over 900). Former ‘Headers residing in many nearby extended care facilities receive soft fleece blankets, (approximately 145), perfect for naps and laps. Reaching out to the fastest-growing population, we see those numbers fluctua...